1840 — “The best of my community is the generation in which I was sent, then those who come after them, then those who come after them—and Allah knows best whether he mentioned the third or not—then there will appear people who give testimony without being asked to do so, make vows but do not fulfil them, betray trust and are not trusted, and among whom obesity will become widespread.”

Muslim recorded it (7/186), as did Abū Dāwūd (2/265), al-Ṭayālisī (p. 114, no. 852), and Aḥmad (4/426 and 440), through Qatādah, from Zurārah ibn Abī Awfā, from ʿImrān ibn Ḥuṣayn, as a report attributed to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Al-Tirmidhī also recorded it (2/35) through this same route and said: “Good and authentic.”

It has other chains of transmission. Thus, al-Bukhārī recorded it (7/4–6, 5/197–198, and 11/491), as did Muslim (7/185–186), al-Nasāʾī (2/143), al-Ṭayālisī (p. 113, no. 841), and Aḥmad (4/427 and 436), through Shuʿbah, who said: “I heard Abū Jamrah say: ‘Zahdam ibn Muḍarrib related to me from ʿImrān,’” with the same wording. Some of them narrated: “The best of you is my generation,” and so on. It also has another chain with the wording: “The best people.” It will follow, if Allah Most High wills.

It also has a corroborating report with the wording: “The best of my community is my generation among them, then those who come after them—and I do not know whether he mentioned the third or not—then there will succeed them people among whom obesity will become widespread, who offer testimony without being asked for it.”

1841 — “The best of my community is my generation among them, then those who come after them—and I do not know whether he mentioned the third or not—then there will succeed them people among whom obesity will become widespread, who offer testimony without being asked for it.”

Aḥmad recorded it (5/350): Ismāʿīl related to us, from al-Jurayrī, from Abū Naḍrah, from ʿAbd Allāh ibn Mawlah, who said: “As I was walking in al-Ahwāz, a man riding ahead of me on a mule was saying: ‘O Allah, my generation of this community has gone; so join me with them.’ I said, ‘And me too—include me in your supplication.’ He said, ‘And this companion of mine as well, if he wishes.’ Then he said: ‘The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said...’” He then mentioned the hadith. He said: “It was Buraydah al-Aslamī.”

Aḥmad then recorded it (5/357) through Ḥammād ibn Salamah, from al-Jurayrī, with the same chain, from ʿAbd Allāh ibn Mawlah, who said: